Planning Board

************************************************************************************* TAUNTON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES Meeting held at 15 Summer Street, City Hall, in the Chester R. Martin Municipal Council Chambers ************************************************************************************* DATE: February 1, 2024 BOARD MEMBERS: Anthony Abreau, Chairman George Moniz John Reardon Kelly Dooner Manuel Spencer, Clerk Brian Carr Dennis Ackerman, Vice Chairman ADVISORS: Kevin Scanlon, City Planner Michael Patneaude, City Engineer __________________________________________________________________________ Roll Call: Dooner, Reardon, Abreau, Ackerman, Moniz. Meeting opens at 5:30 PM City Engineer Mike Patneaude also present. Kelly made motion to approve minutes of January 4, 2024 and amended minutes of 12-7-23, seconded by Dennis. All in favor. Gracey Estates – Request to release lots 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 13 - holding 0 surety John Garanito and Jeff Tallman were invited into the enclosure. Dept. comments were read from City Planner, City Engineer and outside consultant Greenman-Pedersen Inc. John stated he’s here tonight for release of some lots but the outside consultant brought up some issues relative the paving. John states they used reclaimed asphalt which must be approved by the P.B His contractor placed 3 inches of reclaimed pavement borrow in lieu of the processed gravel noted on the approved subdivision plans. The outside consultant informed the developer and contractor they needed to get planning board approval prior to use. GPI received the gradation test results on 12-27-23 a week after the roadways were approved. W.W. Cole Eng. Inc. obtained the material sample on the day of paving. It’s unknown if the sample was taken from the bottom 9” of processed gravel or the top 3” of reclaimed pavement borrow. SW Cole did not provide specifications in their report of Gradation that might indicated which layer of material the sample was taken. The same did not pass and now GPI is recommending 5 cores be obtained in the existing paved areas. John states his contractor has used this many times and it is been fine. Jeff states he would suggest releasing lots and seeing how the road holds up and if needed they will fix it before road acceptance. John is confident the road is built in a quality manner. They have 14 lots so they will be constructing houses for a few years and after all that with the construction trucks driving over roadway they will see how it holds up. Chairman Abreau stated he personally thinks they jumped too quick with the paving in the winter. They were told not to pave and they went ahead and did it. He is not comfortable releasing any lots until we know the roadway is acceptable to protect the City. He stated there was another subdivision who did same thing and they had to rip road up. Dennis stated he would follow the City Engineer’s recommendation. Mike stated the outside consultant is the one who oversee this per the planning board approval. He recommends following the outside consultant’s recommendation. George stated he’s familiar with the reclaimed pavement and he thinks it will be alright and he has no problem releasing lots tonight. He states its standard in construction. John stated he remembers Bella Rose and they had to do testing. He also agrees with Tony in continuing to March meeting. John stated he will do whatever the Board wants. Dennis made motion to continue the request for lot release to next month and follow the outside consultant recommendation and do the core testing, seconded by George. All in favor. Massasoit Estates - Map 11,Lot 112- Request to change of community type septic system to municipal sewer – Need to determine if minor or major change Brian Dunn, MBL Land Development & Permitting was invited into the enclosure. Brian stated he submitted a letter on behalf of Steven Figueiredo for Massasoit Estates with regard to the change in sewer They have been approved to bring sewer down Middleboro Avenue so they want to change the subdivision to municipal sewer. They are also requesting to remove the easement requirements. They will be starting the sewer in the spring. Dennis is aware the developer has a signed agreement for sewer with City and in his opinion this is a major change. The public has a right to know of the change and how it’s designed. Chairman Abreau agrees it’s a major change and the abutters need to know. City Engineer agrees it’s a major change and he points out there will be new plans that need to be recorded. John made motion to find the change is a major change which requires a public hearing, seconded by Kelly. All in favor. Public Meeting - Site Plan Review – 12 Porter St. (prop. ID 65-208, 65-209, 65-219, 65-220, 65-221) for the construction of a residential brownfield development with 5 multifamily buildings with a total of 28 units, with 2 of the existing buildings to be restored, submitted by 12 Porter Street Development, LLC PB member George Moniz recused, left meeting at 5:56 PM .Atty. Edmund Brennan, David Clymens, owner, and Greg Driscoll, P.E and Amanda Langer, Site Designer, II from JDE Civil Engineers were invited into the enclosure. Atty. Brennan states the project received ZBA approval for variances for setbacks. They received SP from Council for multifamily use. This is the old Rhodes Factory and an extensive brownfields cleanup site. They are proposing 28 residential units Greg states this is a brownfield redevelopment site and will have 5 buildings (3 new and 2 existing building be refurbished) No wetland and or resource area. They have a complete 21D sign off from DEP. They will have 2 driveways from Porter St and there is plenty room for fire truck. They have 56 parking spaces, an enclosed dumpster, and future play area. They meet all the parking requirements. They have 3 snow storage areas. Greg explained the drainage. Currently there is no drainage so this will be an improvement. The site will be serviced by municipal sewer and water. They will provide landscaping, lawn areas, trees and shrubs. They do have fire truck access based on a Taunton fire truck. Atty. Brennan stated this site has been a very blighted site and they have cleaned up the site and will actually have showcase of artifacts. They have the neighborhood support. Dennis is well aware of the site and asked about the smoke stack? They have 2 and will be keeping one smoke stack. He asked what protection do you have for the railroad tracks? Greg answered there will be a 7 foot fence around the entire property as well as an existing brick wall. Dennis asked if they addressed all the concerns in the City Engineer’s letter and it was answered yes. John asked if they will have a display case for artifacts? They are going to have a placque on building per the Historic District Commission. They will have them displayed on the property. It was about how high is the existing brick wall and Amanda answers 8 feet and they will putting up a fence not to exceed 7 feet tall. John asked how big is he dumpster bag? It was answered 10 x10. John asked about recycling bins and they have not considered that yet. John asked about the sewer line and they will look into the calculation. City Engineer stated this was brought up at the DIRB and they will work with OECD to researching if any grants are available. Chairman Abreau asked about the water runoff and it was stated the stormwater will be reduced and they will have underground infiltration. Chairman Abreau asked about the soils and it was answered some spots are not too great. Chairman Abreau asked about what they found in the clean up? PCP pipes, lead, asbestos, oil tanks, but they have a clean bill of health from LSP. Public Input: No one opposed or in favor. John made motion, seconded by Kelly to approve the SPR with all Dept. comments: Condition #1) That the plans dated January 8, 2024 shall govern with the following additional conditions; Condition #2) Lighting shall not illuminate any portion of abutting properties Condition #3) The site shall be kept clean and clear of debris Condition #4) Two sets of as-builts shall be submitted upon occupancy for all work on site and shall include design engineer and land surveyor certification notes stating the development has been built according to the approved plans. Plans will show all construction of buildings, utilities, grades, setbacks etc Condition #5) Two sets of updated plans shall be provided that conforms to this decision prior to Building permit Condition #6) Compliance with the Municipal Council Special Permit dated December 5, 2023 is required Condition #7) Addresses shall be established for all units prior to any building permits Condition #8) Any central mail delivery shall be provided in building #1 Condition #9) That the proposed lots shall be combined via an 81X plan prior to any building permits being issued Condition #10) Show all doors and garage doors on the plans Condition #11) That compliance with ZBA Case # 3741 is required Condition #12) All sidewalks shall be ADA/ AAB compliant Condition #13) The sound attenuation fence and the new sections of brick wall shall not exceed seven feet unless a variance is obtained Condition #14) The dumpster shall be located on a concrete pad, be enclosed with a 6 foot enclosure, shall be kept closed at all times and be emptied regularly Condition #15) A 4 inch fire line and a 2inch domestic water service line from the existing 12 inch city water main is required unless DPW alters this requirement Condition #16) The structures located at 12 Porter Street are of historical significant and will need Historic District approval prior to construction. Notes Note 1) DPW permits are required including city licensed contractor, road opening and trench permits. Plans shall be submitted to DPW for water services, fire service line, gate valves and curb stops Note 2) DPW specifications shall apply including backflow devices, pressure testing, materials, installation, a new water meter with an updated radio frequency unit, inspection and approval and prior notice is required before any city water work is to be performed and inspections are required prior to backfilling Note #3) The petitioner shall refer to the October 22, 2023 letter from the ADA Commission regarding ADA/ AAB compliance Vote: 4 in Favor Anthony Abreau YES Dennis Ackerman YES John Reardon YES Kelly Dooner YES Manuel Spencer, Jr. absent Brian Carr absent George Moniz recused Documents used as part of meeting were: comments from DIRB, City Engineer, Commission for Individuals with Disabilities, Historic District Commission, Water Dept. and plans by JDE Civil Engineers, Meeting adjourned at 6:19 PM